“The Academy of Truth” by Katie Kotulak
2026 Short Story Contest
First Place
Welcome to the Academy of Truth, dear boy. We’re delighted to invite you into our hallowed halls on this, our 99th year. An auspicious number, indeed.
You’ve proven yourself among the elite who passed the entrance exam. I’m sure you have many questions, and I’ll be boring you soon enough, but for now, allow me to elucidate our mission as I escort you to your room. The Academy is a bastion of knowledge, a sanctuary for discovery and experimentation, educating our pupils on all aspects of truth and lies. They are two sides of the same coin, after all.
Mind the stairs on the way down. The academy is old, its stone floors askew. It can be rather unforgiving to those that fail.
Now, what was I saying?
Ah, yes. Truth depends on perception. How does one shape perception but through language, the slippery beast. The common person—naïve— believes in an objective truth, and subsequently an objective lie. But what of intention versus understanding? Language rarely falls in line and does what is asked of it. Truth teller and liar both must wield their words like a whipmaster.
Haha. It does seem an odd place to put a dormitory; I agree. No windows I’m afraid, but I have a torch. May the light of truth carry us forward. Go on through. Give the door a good hearty push. It’s made of iron and quite heavy. I’m right behind you, just locking up.
Why lock up?
Oh, to prevent drafts from escaping.
What’s that? Odd wording?
You think I meant to say, ‘prevent drafts from getting in’ because of the cold. Oh dear. Have you been listening? Words can have many meanings, sometimes contrary. Such delicious opportunities for duplicitousness. Draft could mean a cool breeze or a compulsory recruit. Did you have an opportunity to decline the offer to stay?
I’d say the word applies.
Here we are. Where you’ll spend the next several years. Exciting! Let me get the light, and everything will become illuminated. There!
Oh my! Calm down. I know the chair looks quite horrid, but there’s no point in pulling at the door; you saw me lock it.
Did I lie? Every statement I’ve made has been truthful. Yes, you are among the great; you simply aren’t one yourself. I will be boring you. Did you notice the drills on your way in?
You see, some minds are meant to discover and experiment. Others are meant to be experimented on. Language can be so wonderfully polysemous when wielded properly.
You’re starting to understand now. Excellent. Be a good boy and sit. You’ll be surprised by the comfort.
Well done! You’ve taken to the lesson. You will be surprised by the comfort. By the lack, rather.
There’s a good boy. Stay still while I buckle you in. No need to worry.
Haha. Yes. Why worry when something is inevitable?
Just close your eyes and embrace the truth.
I promise, this won’t hurt one bit.
***
Welcome to the Academy of Truth, sweet girl. We’re delighted to invite you into our hallowed halls on this, our 100th year. An auspicious number, indeed.
I’ve held a special place for you since I stumbled upon you hunting in the woods. I’d only thought to bring you back to the Academy for something to eat. Imagine my surprise when you started speaking of Aristotle and Aquinas. A girl who can read? Yours is a brain I’d like to explore. What luck finding you when we were missing recruits for our centennial.
Now, let us commence the tour.
You’ve proven yourself among the—Ope. Not that way. Haha. There are dormitories on the first floor, but you must descend. Watch the stairs. They’re rather steep. Where was I? Aah Yes, the Academy is a bastion— Don’t open that door.
You are a curious thing, aren’t you? Not to worry. We’ll tickle that brain of yours, soon enough.
In the depths of the Academy, it can be rather gloomy, I’m afraid. Simply follow my torch, and the light of truth—Damnit girl! Stop wandering off.
I—I lost my temper. My apologies. Those chambers aren’t yours. I’d hate for you to stumble upon something compromising.
What’s that?
Yes, those doors are locked. No need to worry about what’s inside. Let us move along.
Here we are, your resting place.
Girl, are you being obstinate? It’s this door. Don’t open that one!
What’s that? You’re seeking your brother, you say? You haven’t seen him since he sat his exams… I—I hadn’t realized he was recruited… What strange fortune? Well, never mind. I’m sure he’s somewhere in the Academy’s grounds. Best get you settled quickly.
What’s that? Odd wording? You thought I meant to say, on the grounds, sitting on the grass, perhaps? Haha. Why don’t you go on through, and I’ll elucidate my meaning.
Give the door a good push.
I said, push.
Push!
Really girl, are you so weak you can’t open a door? I suppose you’ve barely an ounce of meat on you. Try leaning into it.
A sliver? In your finger? Sigh.
Fine. I’ll open it myself. It’s late and we must— Wait. The door is solid iron. Where did you acquire a sliver?
What’s that, my girl?
***
I said, dear master, shine your torch over here and everything will be illuminated. Sorry, did I steal your line?
Do you understand now? I’m holding all the cards…or knives in this case.
Good. You’re quick, even if you’re very slow, hobbling towards those drills like you think you can outrun me.
Gasp—I never lied; I was hunting when you found me. You’ve become too comfortable in your senescence. You never asked what I was hunting. If you had, I’d have told you, I was hunting the truth. You finding me was serendipitous; you’re right about that. The thing with luck is, you have to be ready to seize it.
Now, have a seat, old man.
Allow me to tell you a story about a young boy who lived at the top of the hill. He had everything you could dream of: a big house; an adoring family; a golden future. But he was seduced by your chains of authority, and the sway you held over the people. He dreamt of becoming a master of the truth.
He hired tutors, imported books from around the world, and studied every night. He did the work even though he already had enough money. He wanted knowledge. He longed for the respect your little costume bestows. You rewarded him with pain and suffering.
You could have taken anyone. The village is full of street rats no one would have missed, but you were foolish. You took my brother, and that will be your undoing. This Academy is built on lies and the bodies of boys who should rule you.
Your brethren are gathering now for the initiation ritual, a bunch of old men blowing smoke up each other’s robes and congratulating unworthy boys on passing an exam. A farce when all you desire are those too weak to question your agenda.
What’s that?
You don’t fear me?
Do you think someone is coming to save you?
Maybe you’re right.
It’s really a question of timing.
You see, I’m not so foolish as to enter the lion’s den alone. My father’s soldiers have explicit instructions to crash your little party if I go missing. They do love to dance.
It’s a gamble, but fortune favours the bold. Maybe someone will notice you’re missing before they arrive, or maybe they’ll arrive unfashionably late, or maybe one of the brothers will spy them and raise your defenses. But maybe they’re approaching now, creeping undetected through the shadowed woods.
Listen.
Maybe that’s them now, running through the halls.
I’m going to go watch the bash.
***
…
…
Crackle. Hissssss.
Swish. Swish. Swish.
Ommmmmmm. Ommmmmm. Ommmmmm.
Wethekeepersoftruthwelcomethenextmumblemumblemumble.
Crackle. Hissssss.
Swish. Swish. Swish
Ommmmmmm. Ommmmmm. Wha–?
Stomp. Stomp.
Who dares—
Gasp.
Stomp. Stomp.
I demand–
AaAaargh.
Uhummph.
BOOM.
Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.
Nggghhh.
Gasp.
Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.
Whimper.
Stomp. Stomp.
Whimper.
Stomp.
…
Drip.
…
Drip.
…
Drip.
…
…
***
Returned already, girl? Cough. Cough. Was it so easy to slaughter my brothers in truth? You certainly are quick. But you won’t be for long.
Did you need me to explain?
“Quick” can mean alive, but also fast. I’m implying you have brought about the inevitability of your own death. I certainly wasn’t calling you clever. Hahahaha—Achhh.
Girl, it is only your knife that cuts deep. Your words don’t scratch my abysmal soul. But don’t you dare believe your hands are clean. They too are soaked in blood.
You believe in your righteous vengeance, as if there is an objective good and, subsequently, an objective evil. Most would say it is evil to kill, but what if you murder a murderer? Are you then absolved of your sins? What if you murder boys who would otherwise grow to be tyrants responsible for the deaths of hundreds? Can bad cancel out bad?
What of those who will surely come to avenge the brotherhood? Are they evil if they kill you, a murderer? You’ve placed yourself at the top, girl. You will not survive the fall.
Bah. Violence is not good or bad, merely inevitable. The Academy gave meaning to senseless death. Power based on merit instead of lineage. Death engendered by hubris. You asked why we don’t kill street rats, but one only bothers to kill a rat when it insists on entering one’s home.
Gasp. Cough.
You can cut me all you want, but it won’t change the outcome. I will die, but you will too, eventually.
Did I hit a vein of truth? I can see by the way you’re pacing you haven’t a plan for the future.
Cough. Cough.
It won’t be long for me now.
Cough.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
…
…
***
Welcome to the Academy of Truth, dear children. We’re delighted to invite you into our hallowed halls on this, the year of our grand reopening. Yes, the brotherhood of truth has been resuscitated. The power of the wealthy has been restrained. The Academy has risen from the ashes, a Phoenix.
Now, let us commence the tour.